2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to timeless design, eschewing the aggressive styling trends of its contemporaries for a more classic aesthetic. With its soft curves and rounded edges, the GLC maintained a modern edge through its menacing LED headlights, yet avoided the sharpness seen in competitors like the Lexus NX. Its long hood and wide grille gave it a dramatic stance, reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, emphasizing its car-like characteristics. Inside, the GLC's cabin was an artful blend of soft lines and curves, with a flowing dash and a floating centre touchscreen that echoed the exterior's rounded design. Mercedes-Benz was known for its minimalist approach, and the GLC's interior set a high bar for compact luxury SUV cabins.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over from its 2021 updates with minor modifications, offering a bold and boxy design that was both appealing and upscale. The Execline trim, in particular, featured R-Line design elements and 21-inch alloy wheels that filled out the exaggerated fenders. Inside, the Atlas boasted a simple yet premium interior, though some materials were crafted to a low cost point, with hard, shiny plastics detracting from the overall quality. Despite this, the Atlas excelled in providing a roomy and comfortable interior, with ample head and legroom for all passengers, including those in the third row. The low step-in height made it easy to enter and exit, and numerous storage areas were available, though many were unlined, leading to unwanted noise.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered through a nine-speed automatic transmission to a 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. The GLC offered various drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, but even in Comfort mode, the engine provided ample power. The steering was soft yet precise, and the GLC struck a balance between refinement and responsiveness. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S offered twin-turbocharged engines with 385 and 503 horsepower, respectively, delivering sports car-like performance.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive. However, the turbo engine required premium fuel for maximum output and had a towing capacity of only 907 kilograms. The optional 3.6-litre V6 engine, standard on the Execline trim, produced 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Despite these figures, the V6's acceleration was leisurely, and its fuel consumption was higher. The Atlas featured various driving modes and an Active Control system for different conditions, but its ride quality was affected by the 21-inch wheels, leading to a busy ride and road noise.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 550 litres with the seats up. The GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced these figures to 1,400 and 500 litres, respectively. The GLC's interior was well-utilized, with a decently sized centre console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with no need to slide the seats forward for legroom, though the Coupe's low roofline impacted headroom.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space, seating seven people comfortably with ample head and legroom, even in the third row. The step-in height was low, and the test vehicle included rear side-window sunshades. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with the second row down, surpassing even the full-size Nissan Armada.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, with both touch and controller options, and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen, though there was a learning curve.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, with an 8-inch display expanding to 10.25 inches on higher trims. The Trendline had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome process for tuning the radio. Voice recognition was hit-and-miss, and the embedded navigation system was less reliable than smartphone integration.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package for advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Parking sensors and hands-free parking assist were part of the Premium Plus Package, though the sensors were overly sensitive and distracting.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and an adaptive front lighting system. However, the Lane Assist technology struggled with old construction markings, and the system could not be easily disabled while driving. The Atlas received decent crash-test ratings but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.